Maine Principal of the Year honored in Falmouth

FALMOUTH, Maine (NEWS CENTER) -- A school in Falmouth is now home to Maine's Principal of the Year.

At a ceremony at the Real School in Falmouth Monday afternoon, Pender Makin was given the award of Maine Principal of the Year by the Maine Principals Association.

Makin has been principal at the Real School for the past ten years. Students, parents, teachers, and fellow administrators had nothing but good things to say about Makin during the ceremony.

The Real School is an alternative and special education school that serves 55 students from all over southern Maine.

During the ceremony, credit was given to Makin for taking the school in a positive direction over the course of her career.

"To see how this school works and the support within everything, it's really amazing," Real School Americorps volunteer Sarah Salisbury said. "Pender does an amazing job at leading us through every time we have a challenge. We go to her and she always knows what to say."

"I don't know anyone in the world who gives so much of themselves the way she does. It can bring me tears it's so very inspiring," Real School Restorative Learning Program Coordinator Page Nichols said.

Principal Makin said it was an honor to receive such a prestigious award, but she was quick to give credit to everyone else.

"It is a tremendous honor. The only way I am able to accept it is to do that on behalf of the work that my teachers do, and the trust that our kids give us," Principal Makin said.

Makin said she's proud of everything her school has accomplished, and is looking forward to continuing to help her students achieve their goals.